Some employers may expect you to have a degree or postgraduate course that gives you qualified teacher status (QTS).

Useful subjects include:

• English
• linguistics
• modern foreign languages
• education studies

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

You can take Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) courses at colleges and private training providers all over the world. They vary widely in cost and length.

You can do:

• an intensive full-time course lasting 4 weeks
• a part-time course lasting from 12 to 36 weeks, depending on the training provider
• a distance learning course where you may need to arrange your own teaching practice

The most common TEFL qualifications are:

• Certificate In Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Cambridge CELTA) and (Trinity CertTESOL)
• Level 5 TEFL Diploma

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• an excellent standard of English
• A levels or equivalent qualifications

You could get experience as a paid language assistant in schools abroad. You do not necessarily need a TEFL qualification to work in schools, but if you want to teach in a private language academy, you will.

Each country has different eligibility criteria, for example, age limits and standard of English, so check carefully to make sure you meet all the requirements for the country you want to work in.

You may need foreign language skills for some jobs.

The British Council has information about working abroad as an English language assistant.

You can work as an EFL teacher in further education. You'll usually need a teaching qualification like the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, which you can do through professional development.

After the Diploma, you can get qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS).

You can find out more about careers in further education from Teach in Further Education.

To work in schools in the UK, you'll usually need to be a qualified teacher.

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• excellent written communication skills
• analytical thinking skills
• persistence and determination
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

In this role you will:

• plan engaging lessons and activities that meet students' needs
• teach individuals or classes face to face or through online learning
• set and mark tests and exercises and give constructive feedback
• organise social and cultural activities, like events and trips
• monitor progress and keep accurate learner records

You could work at a language school, at a college or from home.